The declaration by Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the 2023 presidential election has halted all momentum in Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s camp, DAILY POST gathered.
Tinubu, the national leader of the APC and godfather of the Vice President, on Monday, declared his intention to run after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a press briefing after the meeting, Tinubu said the ambition to be the president of Nigeria has been a lifelong ambition.
Sources in Osinbajo’s camp told DAILY POST that the move by Tinubu has temporarily halted the underground mobilization that is ongoing.
“Once baba had indicated interest, there is no need to contemplate running for the office,” the source told DAILY POST.
Before the announcement by Tinubu, Osinbajo was in a strong momentum. In December, former military president, Ibrahim Babangida had given some sort of endorsement. “I want you to tell him to stay on cause,” IBB had said.
It would be recalled that the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Dr Umar Farouk Umar, also had glowing remarks about the Vice President during the turbaning of Yusuf Buhari in Daura.
That was not the first time the Emir of Daura would be paying glowing remarks on Osinbajo. In 2018, the monarch said, “I can assure you that our son has enormous trust in you, I want you to continue to justify that confidence he reposed in you.”
Equally, despite the romance between Tinubu and Governor Umar Guanduje of Kano State, Kawu Hafiz, a member of the House of Representatives from Kano State also openly endorsed the aspiration of Osinbajo.
The Osibanjo Grassroot Organization had been moving around the country to solicit support for the former Attorney General of Lagos State.
In one fell swoop, this momentum is under threat because of the relationship with Tinubu.